100 gifts for under $100

By Jenn Harris, Dianne de Guzman, Jason La, Lora Victorio and Alice Short There's art to the gift of giving. Some folks have mastered it; others not so much. It starts with a good eye and an understanding of your own budget. Worried that you might not have what it takes? Not to fret, we're making things easy this season. From reliable stocking stuffers to hard-to-find items, we've got gifts for everyone on your list. Here are 100 gift ideas for under $100. Thumbnails | Article format | $5 and under | $5 to $10 | $10 to $25 | $25 to $50 | $50 to $100

There's art to the gift of giving. Some folks have mastered it; others not so much. It starts with a good eye and an understanding of your own budget. Worried that you might not have what it takes? Not to fret, we're making things easy this season. From reliable stocking stuffers to hard-to-find items, we've got gifts for everyone on your list. Here are more than 100 gift ideas for under $100.

$5 and under

Charles and Ray Eames top

This wooden top bears a design from Southern California designers Charles and Ray Eames' 1961 exhibit, "Mathematica: A World of Numbers ... & Beyond," on display at the New York Hall of Sciences in Queens. The top is made from solid walnut and measures 1.5 inches.

If you missed the flyover or parade through Los Angeles, see the shuttle at the California Science Shuttle. The exhibit, which opened Oct. 30, is accompanied by a companion show, "Endeavour: The California Story," which includes displays and artifacts.

These inexpensive stuffed animals were wildly popular in the '90s, causing buyers to line up outside of toy stores as they awaited shipments. Interest eventually declined, and the company announced it would stop producing them in 1999. That "shut down" lasted a few months; the company resumed production in early 2000. Little kids (among others) still love them.

Price: About $4.99 each

Where to find: http://world.ty.com/catalog/catPage.cfm?status=Current&lineid=3

—JL

Duncan yo-yo

Yo-yos have been around for centuries, and Duncan Toys Company has been making them for more than 80 years. How can you go wrong?

This foam clown nose was created by professional clowns, so no need to worry about your loved ones making a fool of themselves when they put it on. (Seriously, it was designed by professionals!) One size fits all.

It's time to give your family and friends the gift of public transportation. The Expo Line connecting downtown Los Angeles to Culver City debuted this year, and more extensions are scheduled for the next few years.

Price: $1 for the card and $1.50 for each ride

Where to find: Purchase at any Metro station, http://www.metro.net/

—JL

Green Vets LA cloth shopping bag

Several Southland cities including Santa Monica, Pasadena and West Hollywood have already adopted bans on single-use plastic bags at checkout lines, and Los Angeles' ban will be phased in next year. Stock up on reusable grocery bags. The charity Green Vets LA offers bags made by veterans from scrap material.

This Highland Park grocery store sells more than 500 varieties of soft drinks, so picking a few for even your most particular friends shouldn't be hard.

Price: About $2 each

Where to find: Galco's Old World Grocery, 5702 York Blvd., Los Angeles, http://www.galcos.com/

—JL

99 Cents Only tie

The 99 Cents Only Store in Garden Grove carries a surprisingly wide variety of ties, including traditional, skinny, whimsical and serious. The merchandise changes, so call to make sure they have ties in stock.

The subtitle of this item reads "without the cookies," so what you get is a little red book (not that little red book) with a printed fortune for each of one year's 365 days. But no cookie. The fortunes are printed on perforated slips, which make it easier to tear or share. A favorite: "Being hypnotized is no excuse."

Price: About $10 each

Where to find: American Rag CIE, Kitson, Vroman's, the Huntington Library, Small World Books

—AS

Fugetsu-do mochi

Fugetsu-do has been making mochi in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo for more than 100 years. These doughy balls of sweet rice come with fillings such as chocolate, red bean and peanut butter.

Price: Varies, but a variety of selections is available for $10 or less

The makers of these bottle openers gather bike parts from across the country. Functioning parts are donated to cycling nonprofits. The rest are resurrected as nifty gadgets such as these bottle openers.

Return to the basics. Slinkies can't talk, and you can't use them to surf the Internet, but they've been entertaining people since the '40s.

Price: $5.50

Where to find: http://www.poof-slinky.com/products-page/slinky/metal/original-slinky%C2%AE/

—JL

"All out of" pad

This is literally a pad with lists of grocery items already printed on it, items that can be checked off when supplies are depleted. Need apples? Check. Yogurt? Check. Paper towels? Check. Now you don't need to write, only check. And there are a few blank spaces if you need to scribble down something a little unusual, such as … well …. kaffir lime leaves.

The genius of the flying chocolate pig is in the combination of bacon and chocolate, which is what the chocolate maker, Vosges, is known for. Filled with "hickory smoked uncured bacon" and "deep milk chocolate," don't say no. Say, "Yessss."

Price: $8

Where to find: Vosges, http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/flying_chocolate_pig/gift_ideas_10_30

—DG

Knock-one-back coasters

These drink coasters, which have the words "KNOCK ONE BACK/OR SEVERAL" printed on them, are billed as "indelicate doilies." Will they encourage your guests to think twice about overdoing it? You never can tell.

You're already a thoughtful friend for bringing wine to a party, but why not take it up a notch with this nostalgia-inducing wine monkey? With a wine bottle cozy in the likeness of the ubiquitous sock monkey, it won't matter (much) what wine is hiding underneath.

Price: $10

Where to find: Urban Outfitters, http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18561159

—DG

Hobnob Parlor Smoke Hurricane Tealight

This classic-looking tealight works great for table settings, and its nice smoky look becomes a warm amber-brown when lit.

The classic memory game for kids gets a modern revamp in this set inspired by the work of iconic textile and graphic designer Alexander Girard. Children and adults can brush up on their memory skills with these 36 pairs of cards (72 cards total).

The traveler's headache of finding mini-sized cosmetics will vanish with this refillable, TSA-approved set. Four bottles total, at .5-ounce and 1-ounce sizes, this can be stored in your carry-on bag (and is leak-proof!).

This stainless steel flask from Izola not only holds your libation of choice but features clever inscriptions to drink to. We enjoyed the inscription "To my health," but the other versions may win you over.

There are times when words of wisdom are needed, and who better to provide it than your favorite literary author? The Library Foundation has a collection of posters featuring quotes and illustrations to decorate your wall.

If you're looking for a gift to satisfy that teenage, makeup-experimenting girl in your life, then look no further. This face palette offers enough makeup options to last her (or yourself) for a while.

The Momiji dolls measure only 3 inches tall, but their cute, bookish nature (they belong to a book club, after all) will win anyone over. At the bottom of the doll is a space for a tiny, super-secret card, which most children would adore.

Surprise new parents with a gift for their Angeleno baby with this handmade, silk-screened Los Angeles-themed outfit emblazoned with a nifty map of the city. The outfit is available in sizes three months to 18.

Jean-Luc Picard had a taste for Earl Grey and Maria von Trapp sang about having hers with jam. Whatever tea you prefer, you can brew it neatly with this porcelain set while watching "Star Trek" or "The Sound of Music." Comes in gray, orange, white, blue and red.

When it comes to preparing for disaster, no one seems to think about it until it happens. Get a head start on the Big One and make you and your loved one's lives more secure with this comprehensive kit built for two that includes food, water, first aid and other items that could help you survive for three days.

Not just for salad, this bowl set can also serve famished guests pasta and fruit. The serving fork and spoon fit snugly in an opening in the bowl so you won't have to find awkward places to set them down when you're at a party. Comes in green, white and black.

Price: $42

Where to find: A + R, http://www.aplusrstore.com/product.php?id=429&cid=64

—LV

Food Network electric wine bottle opener

This hassle-free wine opener makes an excellent gift for any wine enthusiast.

Where to find: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=26117986

—JH

IIIBeCA by Joy Gryson 'Chambers Street' crossbody bag

This vintage-inspired crossbody bag is great gift for any fashionista on the go and comes in a variety of colors. IIIBeCa also donates 9% of proceeds to The 9/11 Memorial, Family Focus Adoption Services and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Where to find: Nordstrom, http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/iiibeca-by-joy-gryson-chambers-street-crossbody-bag/3360761

—JH

V-Tech InnoTab 2 Learning App Tablet

A learning tablet with Wi-Fi for kids age 3 to 9. The device comes with a camera, video recorder, photo viewer, video player, MP3 music player, e-reader, art studio, games and microphone.